- #1
BillJ3986
- 7
- 0
Homework Statement
A solar panel (an assemblage of solar cells) measures 58 cm x 53 cm. When facing the sun, this panel generates 2.7A at 14V. Sunlight delivers an energy of 1.0 x 10^3 W/m^2 to an area facing it. What is the efficiency of this panel, that is, what fraction of the energy in sunlight is converted into electric energy?
Homework Equations
Am I doing this problem correctly
The Attempt at a Solution
The power delivered by the panel is P(delivered)= I x V= 2.7A x 14V= 37.8 W
For the power delivered by sunlight I multiplied 1.0 x 10^3 W/m^2 by the area of .58m x .53m:
so the area equals .307m^2.
1.0 x 10^3 W/m^2 x .307m^2= 307.4 W delivered by the sun.
So I needed to find the fraction of energy in sunlight that is converted into electric energy. I did that by dividing 37.8W/307.4. The fraction of energy converted is .123 or 12.3%.
Or is the answer 307.4/37.8= 8.13?
I'm not sure which is the right answer or if it I did it correctly please let me know.